IMG-Reliance, Ten Sports in 3-year I-League TV deal

IMG-Reliance, Ten Sports in 3-year I-League TV deal

03 Oct, 2012 - 10:54 PM IST | | 1013 Reads

MUMBAI: IMG-Reliance, the commercial partner of All India Football Federation (AIFF), has secured a three-year contract with Ten Sports to broadcast I-League and Federation Cup competitions across various platforms, such as Television, IPTV, DTH, HITS, Internet TV and Mobile. The deal has been struck with just a few days left for I-League to begin.

IMGR, a sports marketing joint venture between IMG and Reliance Industries, has been under pressure from I-League clubs to find a broadcaster for the two competitions. IMGR is now looking for regional broadcasters.

As part of the deal, Ten Sports will broadcast the I-League competition through its football channel Ten Action, for three consecutive seasons starting 2012 through to 2015.

With the I-League competition kicking off on 6 October, Ten Action will telecast 75 live and delayed matches throughout the season. Football fans across the country can catch the inaugural day action between Pailan Arrow Vs Mumbai FC to be played at Kolkata at 2.30 pm and Dempo SC Vs Churchill Brothers to be played at Goa at 5.30 pm.

Ten Action also has the mandate for telecasting the Federation Cup competition for the next two seasons starting 2013.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, ?The fiercely contested Federation Cup, concluded recently, has set the ball rolling for the 2012-13 football calendar year. The I-League competition brings in even more enthusiasm and excitement, as the clubs are eager to renew their rivalry and fight it out from Round One.?

Ten Sports CEO Atul Pande said, ?We are delighted to partner with IMG-Reliance to telecast I-League and Federation Cup, two of India?s premier football tournaments. Ten Sports has always supported Indian football and we continue committed to our vision of enhancing and adding value to the sport.?

An IMG-Reliance spokesperson said, ?We are happy to bring Ten Sports on board as a broadcast partner in football. Having a long-term partnership with the broadcaster is an important step in ensuring quality and continuous coverage of the two competitions. This is one of many initiatives IMG-Reliance has undertaken and we remain committed to the development of Indian football.?